JCPA SUPPORTS
ISRAEL'S RIGHT OF SELF DEFENSE AGAINST TERROR USING ALL MEANS NECESSARY

NEW YORK - The
Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) today released the following
statement in response to the terror attacks and murder of Israelis:

"The Jewish Council
for Public Affairs (JCPA) is horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless
murder of at least 25 innocent Israelis, including many children and
teenagers, during weekend attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa. We express
our condolences to the families of those brutally killed in these atrocities
and our wishes for a full recovery to the injured. We also join President
Bush who, on behalf of the American people, expressed his sorrow and
asked God to bless those who were killed Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The JCPA supports
Israel's right of self defense against terrorism with all means necessary.
The defense of one's citizens is the first responsibility of any government.
The time for waiting for Yasser Arafat to confront the terrorist groups
operating in areas under Palestinian Authority control, particularly
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and to put an end to suicide attacks and anti-Israel
incitement, has run out.

For eight years,
since the 1993 signing of the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on
the White House lawn, Israel, the United States and the American Jewish
community all have urged Arafat to crack down on terrorism and join
Israel in peace as required under the agreement. After hundreds of terrorist
attacks, Arafat continues to violate his obligations under the Oslo
Accords, which have been incorporated into numerous subsequent documents,
most recently the Tenet cease-fire agreement.

It is now up to
Israel to find the response that will prevent such barbaric attacks
from occurring in the future. There is no simple way to pursue terrorists
and those who harbor them. The JCPA will stand behind the Israeli government
at it seeks to develop the most effective strategy for defending its
citizens.

JCPA expresses
its deep appreciation to President George Bush and senior administration
officials for showing strong and unyielding support for Israel following
these terrorist attacks and the Israeli government's initial response.
The President's unequivocal call on Arafat to confront terror groups
and end these attacks is reminiscent of the actions he has taken in
Afghanistan. America and Israel stand united in the fight against global
terrorism, which seeks to undermine democracy, freedom, and a commitment
to seek genuine peace."

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JCPA, the public
affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national
coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 123 local agencies
comprising the field of Jewish community relations.